night time shooting in bright places

[rsturbo]

does anyone know a good way of setting a digital camera to take good shot at night in places like times square or the strip in vagas at night but with lots of neon around tried various settings but struggle to get a good shot
thanks to any one who can help

[Simon Pullan]

I have only just started taking photos and am having similar trouble. I think the fact that have no tripod doesn't help but I've seen people take lovely shots without them. From my results, your best bet is to try overexposing in relation to what the camera is saying as it gets fooled by the neon lights. Or try auto exposure bracketing (if your camera has that ability) with a narrow spread weighted towards overexposure.

These are just my own findings based on very limited experience so please use with caution and hopefully someone else will be along to better advice.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

What's wrong with this thread http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a... that you started?

[Qoda]

Personal Opinion
Learn how to use a light meter, and understand what it is telling you, then apply that information to the shot you have in your head and set the camera to do it.
The thread that you are referred to in the message above gives you some good clues as to what to do.
There is no substitute for reading, practicing and understanding.
Simple suggestion for practice is to go to your own high street, (or back garden and use the lights in your window), roads with moving traffic at night.
But, Have the picture in your head first, then work out how the camera will use the available light to create that picture, set the camera to achieve the result & "bingo".
Once you've got it, you won't forget it.
Enjoy
Mike